Tuesday, November 22, 2011

I just realized--with a sinking feeling--that there are only 40 days left in 2011. That means I need to really get cracking to meet my year-end goals.

At the beginning of the year, I'd planned to work hard at building up publishing credits. I've had a few small victories: "Tribute" (flash fiction) in Motley Press; "The Lost Coin" (verse fiction) in Drown in My Own Fears; "A Writer's Parable" (poem) in Rubber Lemon: short Christian writing; "New Friend" (poem) in Joyful! (forthcoming). Two of these are UK e-zines, which means I've published internationally. :-)

I have two MG stories out on submission, and have about a dozen poems I need to fine tune and submit. I'd love to have two more acceptances before year's end. Impossible? Time will tell.

12
comments:

Sounds like you have a lot of publishing credits. Congrats! Good luck as you continue to reach your goal (I say continue because it sounds like you've met it to me :) My goal was to write another novel this year. I did! It's on its 4th draft. Revising, revising...

Melissa: Congrats to you! I have another chapter to go to meet my novel-writing goals. I swear it took me 4 months to break 20K--I kept adding and cutting material. LOL.

JEM: I've done a number of posts on the topic. Usually the topic tag is "publishing." Anyhow, I'd recommend tooling around on the duotrope site and looking at publications in your genre. My path was to start with my less mature work and send it to easier markets. Now that I have credits, I'm sending my better work to more selective markets.

Tricia: 39 days and counting! I know what you mean about life getting in the way though. I'm rooting for you to send 5 queries by year's end. (Or are you self-pubbing? If so, I definitely want you to guest post!)

Elle: You launched your first book! I think that's a wonderful accomplishment.

Laurel, this seems like a very successful year to me. Great work, and here's to many more. I've met some writing goals, but missed a few others. I think some years my expectations have been a little high. But when I add it all up, it's amazing what I've accomplished. The same is true for you. You can end the year with a great sense of accomplishment and much hope for 2012. :)

About Me

City dweller, word nerd, Indie film enthusiast and incurable Anglophile. Professor's wife and mom to a fourth-year Ravenclaw (perhaps wishful thinking, but she does wear a blue uniform to school...). Follower of the Good Shepherd, who is faithful when we are faithless. My poetry and fiction explore the places where heart and soul are tested and growing up truly begins.

I'm also a freelance editor who has been editing professionally since 1991. How can I help you make your manuscript shine? Click my "editing services" tab to learn more

I post every Thursday (and on other days when the need arises or the spirit moves).